A champion quilter who wanted to give Port Moody residents a public place to gather, a mom who rediscovered her passion for art and brightened her neighbourhood during a gloomy time and a woman fighting to keep bears safe from the temptations of improperly secured waste containers; they’re among the 14 people honoured by the city last Tuesday with civic awards.
The awards recognized residents, organizations and businesses in five categories: arts, environment, accessibility, heritage and sport. Special awards for community service during the COVID-19 pandemic were also presented.
Brenda Millar, who recently won an international quilting competition was honoured with the arts award for her role in transforming the Queens Street plaza into a public square with seating and a stage where people can visit, enjoy the sunshine, create art or attend special events.
Carla Scott was one of two winners of the environment award, along with 13-year-old Aniela Guzikowski. Scott founded a Bear Aware Facebook group to share information and tips on managing wildlife attractants. She also tirelessly logged incidents of bears getting into garbage to remind residents of the consequences of providing temptations to the opportunistic omnivores.
Guzikowski is a volunteer with the Mossom Creek fish hatchery and helped raise awareness about the environmental hazards of discarded cigarette butts.
Other winners included Jeff McLellan and his family for their contributions to Port Moody’s heritage, including decorating the city’s Station Museum for the Christmas holidays.
Sports awards were presented to young lacrosse star Brandon Kirby, veteran football and rugby player and coach, John Macdonald and hockey volunteer Sharron Tulk.
Yolanda Broderick also received the exemplary civic service award for showing leadership and initiative in improving Port Moody's current and future well-being. As well as organizing an annual Thanksgiving outreach dinner through her church, she also relaunched the Tri-City Soup Sisters that cooks meals for a local women's shelter. As well, Broderick created a sewing group to craft masks for Coastal Mental Health, a non-profit that supports people with mental illness and disabilities.
Ladawne Shelstad was one of five winners of the special COVID-19 community service award. She and her daughter turned garage doors in their Klahanie neighbourhood into canvases for giant chalk murals that brightened spirits during the early weeks of the public health crisis.
Other winners were: Jeff McLellan, Ken Kuhn, Lost Klip Manufacturing and Stellava Ventures.
All the winners were recognized during a special virtual meeting of council.
